636Electrical Cable

636.01 Description. This work consists of furnishing new or removal of existing cable(s),

erecting, installing and/or relaying electric cable “mains” in conformity with these specifications and true to locations, line and grades as shown on the plans or as directed. It shall include excavating, laying or relaying of cable(s), placing tracer cable or tape, backfilling, replacing sod, aerial supports and/or pull-through conduits as applicable.

636.02 Materials. The materials used in this construction shall be of the type and size

indicated on the plans and shall conform to the applicable requirements of Subsection 722.03.

636.03 Construction Requirements. Except where indicated on the plans or approved

by the Engineer, cables shall be spliced with a water proof enclosure only in pole bases, pull boxes or controller cabinets. At each splice, sufficient slack shall be left in the cable for re-splicing. The greatest care shall be exercised in handling all cable to avoid damage to the conductor and its coverings. No sharp bends shall be permitted to form; reels shall not be dropped; and cable with discernable damage in any part shall be rejected. All connections shall be made with approved terminal blocks meeting the applicable requirements of Subsection 722.08.

636.03.1 Direct Buried Cable. Trenches shall be excavated by hand or mechanical

methods to the depth and width indicated on the plans, or as directed. The cable shall be laid on a six (6)-inch cushion as shown on the plans or as directed and covered with a similar layer. A minimum cover of 24-inches total is required. The electric cable shall be "snaked" laid in the trench. The earth backfill then shall be placed in layers of eight inches (8”) or less, and each layers compacted by approved methods to the density of adjacent ground. Cable placed under traveled roadways shall be pulled through previously placed conduit, and such pulling shall be incidental to work. The ground surface of backfilled trenches shall be neatly dressed, all excess soil shall be removed from the right-of-way, and sod shall be replaced over the finished trench, all as directed.

636.03.2 Support of Aerial Conductor Cable. Aerial conductor cable normally shall be

supported by messenger cable affixed by approved devices to supporting structures. In all cases, the cost of messenger cable and other support devices will be included in the contract unit price bid for Electric Cable.

636.03.3 Cable and Conduit . Cable lengths required shall be obtained by accurate

measurement of the runs with liberal allowances made fo r slack in boxes, slack for terminating, and waste due to wire-grip damage. Open ends of cables shall be rubber taped at all times to avoid penetration of water or moisture into the strands of the cable. Pull-in guides, cable feeders or drawing-in protectors shall be employed to prevent damage to the cable at the duct mouth. An individual pull-in grip shall be used on each single conductor in the cable core to provide equal strain on each conductor. Cable whose jacket insulation or conductors have been damaged or displaced by pull-in grip shall be cut off and discarded before terminating. Cable shall be fed manua lly into the pull-in guide, cable feeder, or protector in such manner as to avoid excessive friction on the cable. Pulling shall be instantly stopped if undue tension occurs. Powdered talc, water or other lubricant, approved by the cable manufacturer, shall be used to facilitate pulling in runs over 200 feet, and may be used if desired on shorter runs. In no case shall grease be used as cable lubricant.

636.03.4 Identifying and Tagging. Individual phases of each signal circuit shall be

identified by appropriate identif ying marks, at points near each end of the cables and in each hand hole or pull box. All cable entering controller cabinets, pull boxes and poles shall be identified with permanent labels or tags indicating the function of each conductor and which pole, pull box, or controller it goes to. All single-wire conductors and cables shall have clear, distinctive and permanent markings on the outer surface throughout the entire le ngth giving the manuf acturer’s name or trademark, the insulation type - letter designation, the conductor size, voltage rating and the number of conductors in the cable. When required in the plans, the installation of tracer cable shall be in accordance with the requirements herein, per the manufacturer’s recommendation, or as directed by the Engineer. When tracer cable is installed in an open trench, a non-detectable warning tape will be placed directly over the buried cable, four (4) to six (6) inches below finished grade.

636.03.5 Excavating Existing Cable. Existing cable and conduit, if indicated on the

plans, shall be removed by hand trenching, exercising extreme care to prevent damage to cable in trenching and relaying in the new trench. After cable has been removed from existing location, the trench shall be backfille d and compacted to the density of adjacent soil.

636.03.6 Field Tests. The cable shall be tested for failure in accordance with Subsection

631.03.3 The test shall be made after cable has been installed and before connections have

been made.

636.03.6 1--Interpreting the Test. If a cable fails, the fault shall be located and the cable

replaced between terminal points. If failure oc curs in conduit, all cables in that conduit between the nearest pulling points on each side of the failure shall be withdrawn. If, in the opinion of the Engineer, the other cables in the same conduit have not been damaged, they may be reinstalled, but the cable which failed shall be replaced with new cable. After replacement of the faulty cable, and any damaged cables, all cables of that circuit shall be retested.

636.04 Method of Measurement. Electric cable of the type specified, constructed as

specified on the plans, will be measured by the linear foot. Measurement will be computed horizontally and vertically along the pole, conduit or messenger cable which the electric cable is placed, from center to center of the several installations comprising the circuits. No extra length will be allowed for cable inside signal heads, drip loops, or sag in aerial supported cable. Tracer tape used with tra cer cable will not be measured for separate payment but shall be included in the contract price for Tracer Cable. The terminals for the measurements of lengths will be considered sp ecifically as the center of the pull boxes, poles, signal heads or controller cabinets. Electric cable removal, repair, and removed and relaid will be paid by per linear foot. Excavation, sod and backfill will not be measured for separate payment but shall be included in the contract unit price per linear foot for associated Electric Cable pay items. Messenger cable and other supporting devices for Aerial Electric Cable will not be measured for separate payment, but shall be included in the cost of other items bid.

636.05 Basis of Payment. Electric cable of the type specif ied, measured as prescribed

above, will be paid for at the respective contract unit price per linear foot, which price shall be full compensation for furnishing, installing, connecting and testing all materials; for pulling through conduit and poles; for attaching to messenger cable; for final cleanup; and for all labor, equipment, tools, and incidentals necessary to complete the work. Electric cable removal, repair, and removed and relaid, measured as described above, will be paid for at the contract unit price per linear foot, which price shall be full compensation for excavation, removing existing cable and its protective covering; for excavating new trench; for laying cable as indicated on the plans; for backfilling old trench; for backfilling new trenches with selected sand, sand clay or clay gravel as indicated on the plans; for replacement of sod or grassing as appropriate; for final cleaning up; and for all labor, equipment, tools, testing, and incidentals necessary to complete the work. Payment will be made under: 636-A: Electric Cable, Direct Burial, Type, AWG ___, ___ Conductor - per linear foot 636-B: Electric Cable, Underground in Conduit, Type, AWG ___, ___ Conductor - per linear foot